Chamber Business Connection CBC Vol.3, Issue 10 | Page 14

MAYOR STAGE
Q &A WITH
MAYOR
STAGE
Mayor Stage reflects
on the 40th annual
Arts in the Alley event
A lifelong resident of Grove City, Mayor Richard L. “Ike”
Stage has served the community for over 40 years in multiple
capacities, supporting the City’s development and enriching
community involvement. As Past President of the Grove City
Area Chamber of Commerce, Stage was heavily involved in
the first Arts in the Alley Music and Arts Festival in 1979 and
has continued his involvement and personal support of the
event since that time.
We were honored to be able to catch up with him this year to
get his take on Arts in the alley and on the 40th anniversary of
the event.
Helena McComb and others were very aware of the
performing arts and art shows throughout central Ohio. She
stepped up to convince me and other Chamber officers that
we could put Grove City on the map with this event.
When did you first become involved in the event?
Reflecting on the past Arts in the Alley events, what were some of
your greatest accomplishments? 1979-1980, as Chamber Vice President, and then as the
Grove City Area Chamber President.
One of the greatest accomplishments to come from the event
is the increased community engagement; working together
and making the event successful. Since the first event in
1979, so many facets of the event have been handled by
committees and other volunteers. The first festival took
over a year of planning. Witnessing the cooperation; and
participating in a few of the committees as President of the
Chamber (at that time) made me appreciate the energy
needed to pull off a successful inaugural event. What are some Arts in the Alley fun facts?
What were some of the biggest challenges?
The main challenge of the first event was convincing the
community that Grove City was capable of executing an event
featuring the artistic and musical talents in the community.
What is the story behind why Arts in the Alley was born?
The Birth of Arts in the Alley, was an effort to raise the level and
volume of artistic expression and sophistication in our city. Other
than Little Theater Off Broadway (LTOB) and the music department
at Grove City High School, the City had little to no art focus.
14 | CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION SEPTEMBER 2019
The event quickly became so successful that it had to be
moved from First Street and Jackson Alley to Broadway.
The first event featured bands from all of the Southwestern
City School District.
The President of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses
Association (Don W. Fedde) loved Arts in the Alley and was
our first Parade Marshall in 1989.
The dedication of the Safety Building was combined with the
kickoff of the Arts in the Alley in 1989.
What does this event mean to you personally?
This event epitomizes what Grove City is all about. We like
getting together as families and neighbors. It replaces our
former Grove City fair and infuses a larger appreciation of the
world of art. ❖